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Secret spies using advanced cloaking techology have taken a few snapshots of the filming of the new Star Trek sequel. Luckily, both shots reveal Cumberbatch in costume! It looks like he’s not an alien, but who is he? Spock is really making him grumpy with the neck pinch.

Another picture of Uhura squaring off with Cumberbatch is below the cut. As well as our thoughts on the character’s identity.

So, based on these photos, can we predict who Cumberbatch could be?

Ryan: Even though Cumberbatch is wearing that same black Starfleet tunic Kirk wore in the first film, I don’t think that necessarily means he’s a member of the Enterprise crew. I think a lot of people would guess Gary Mitchell, but I think that’s wrong for a lot of reasons. First, IDW Comics just did a Gary Mitchell story in the new continuity and Robert Orci is and advisor on that series. What are other Enterprise crew members who have gone bad? Charlie X? Again, unlikely for obvious reasons. What about Lt. Richard Beckwith? Who’s that you ask? Well, in the original treatment of “City on the Edge of Forever” he was a drug dealer who beamed down to the planet and jumped back in time. Could Harlan Ellison’s original vision of a drug-dealing Starfleet person come true? If you’ve read the Ellison version of that famous episode, you know it would be awesome, because it also features a bizarre pirate-Enterprise in an alternate universe.

Of course, the Starfleet uniform could mean that Cumberbatch is Khan, as Kirk loaned Khan a Starfleet uniform in “Space Seed.” Though, a part of me doesn’t think Khan feels right. It’s not Khan. It’s not Harry Mudd. It’s a new character.

Or based on the jacket alone, General Zod.

Emily: Come on, people. He’s obviously Sybok.

Alright, he doesn’t have the ears or the eyebrows. But Sybok was an illegitimate child, so maybe this time around Sarek had an affair with another human lady, and this kid came out looking more like a human. It would be amazing, because this Sybok wouldn’t have had the chance to get all god-obssessed, and could do some real damage if he were willing.

Okay, he’s probably just some new character they made up. But I’m holding out hope for Sybok.

Chris: Totally Gary Mitchell. Or some other Starfleet weirdo who gets god-powers. Just because Gary Mitchell has been featured in the spin-off comic doesn’t mean that Orci and Kurzman wouldn’t disregard that story if they really wanted to use Mitchell as a centerpiece in the film. Multi-million film versus the continuity of a comic book? Film wins every time.

Odds are it’s a new character, though. Is Cumberbatch a cadet? Or a full officer? How does one Starfleet officer cause so much trouble for the crew of the flagship? (Unless he has god powers?)

Update! On Location News has an additional “set pic,” although it’s mostly of a snowscape with a to-be-determined monster sketched in.

Stubby the Rocket is the mascot of Tor.com and thinks you’re all wrong, Cumberbatch is obviously playing the love interest.